1. THE FRIENDSHIP FORCE OF OTTAWA On being a good ambassador…..

2. “If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay at home.
- James A. Michener

3. Prepare for your visit
Some Do’s
Some Don’ts
What to do if things go wrong

4. A Good Ambassador Is flexible and sensitive
Understands the other point of view
Listens as well as talks
Accepts another culture
Is gracious and appreciative
Remembers to leave a
‘thank you’ note when leaving.
“Be yourself – but your best self”

5. PREPARE FOR YOUR VISIT
Buy nice gifts for your hosts – remember
that they will take care of you for a week!
Also take along a variety of gifts for day hosts,
dinner hosts and children etc.
Do some homework – learn something of the culture
and language of your host’s country.
Prepare a small photograph album
so that you can show your
hosts something of your life
and family.

6. DO’S
Fit in with the program and your host’s plans.
Show interest in everything you do and see
Be punctual
Be sensitive to any of your host’s cultural or
religious observances.
Remember that at all times you represent your
country, Ottawa and Friendship Force.
Be willing to try the cuisine and experience
the customs

7. MORE DO’S
Make sure you are educated about Canada
Be sensitive to your host’s financial situation
Take your host out to a meal at least once
Offer to fill the fuel tank if you have been
driven around extensively.
Be a good guest – help where possible.
Above all, maintain a healthy
sense of humour!!!

8. As always, don’t argue religion or politics
DON’Ts
As always, don’t argue religion or politics
Don’t ask to be driven around for your own
convenience – take public transport
Don’t travel with your own ‘agenda’
Don’t be a “loud mouth”
Don’t make constant comparisons – comment
only in positive terms
Don’t use the telephone without
arrangement with your host.
Don’t take advantage of your
host’s hospitality

9. WHAT TO DO IF THINGS GO WRONG!!
Illness: communicate with your host & Journey Coordinator who will help, or arrange for you to see a doctor. Don’t wait till problem escalates.
Problem Hosting Situation: discuss with host anything which can be solved by minor adjustments. Otherwise discreetly and quietly bring situation to attention of your Journey Coordinator. There are few problems that cannot be resolved with a little diplomacy. Above all, don’t let your actions cause irreparable harm to Friendship Force.
“Today’s crisis may be tomorrow’s anecdote”
MOST THINGS ARE WORKABLE FOR ONE WEEK

10. Important Contacts
Travel.gc.ca (register your travel, obtain immunization info, embassy/consulate locations, travel advisories)
or call collect
( ) to locate family at home or abroad in an emergency

11. REMEMBER……. Faces, not places

12. Adapted from FF
Adelaide, Australia
2014